Question 1 [25 marks in total].

Answer all parts of this question, showing the detailed solution steps.

The possible options for performing a reaction in a chemical processing plant were investigated using a Plug Flow Reactor (PFR) of a volume of 1000 litres, operating at a steady flowrate of 10 litres minute-1. The product results from a first-order irreversible reaction of a reactant A that has a rate constant of 0.01 minute-1. The system can be assumed to be isothermal and of constant density.

What is the conversion that can be achieved by this process?

[7 marks]

Another option considered was to use a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) to achieve the same conversion as the one obtained from the PFR and using the same flowrate. What would be the volume of the CSTR in this case?

[8 marks]

A reversible reaction that is first order in both the reactant and the product is to be carried out until a conversion of 80% of the equilibrium conversion is achieved. When run in a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) the residence time was 100 seconds. If the process was to be run in a Plug Flow Reactor (PFR), what would the residence time be?

End of Question 1.